The American Way of Death

by Jessica Mitford

Book Overview

Before the turn of the century, the American funeral was simple "to the point of starkness," says Jessica Mitford, the acclaimed muckraking journalist who published this investigation of the country's... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671247069
• ISBN13: 9780671247065
• Release Date: January 1963
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 324 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Mourning Becomes Expensive

Jessica Mitford leaves no headstone unturned in this exploration of the American funeral industry. Not only is it interesting as a study of funeral practices, but it also offers insights into business psychology, marketing, and sociology. Mitford's style is piercing and humorous (The chapter about emblaming often made me laugh out loud!) while remaining very respectful of the deceased and their loved ones. Classics are never out of date -- and The American Way of Death is a classic.

A searing and still relevent indictment of the funeral industry

Mitford is an able observer who chronciles the psychological vampirism and crass profiteering of the funeral industries in America. The observationed recorded in this book in 1963 are still true today in 2005. Recently my own state was forced to pass a law barring cemetaries from "graveside solicitations"--the disgusting practice of trying to drum up business from vulnerable people in mourning while they are visiting the grave of a loved one. That such depolrable practices even require state intervention speaks volumes about the depth of pitiless greed that motivates this industry. Also implied in this premise is the fact that the funeral industry goes largely unscrutinized due to the American public's reticience in openly addressing matters of death and dying. This flaw in our culture has given the funeral industry enormous power to charge fees that are grossly disproportionate to the services they render. In addition, this industry has suceeded in fooling the public to believe that embalming is environmentally safe, and necessary for hiegenic reasons or able to preserve corpses indefinately. I know first hand the revelations in this book are not out of date. As part of a death studies class I went to a local funeral home on a tour. The undertakers openly bragged about manipulating their clients and their price list clearly showed that their least expensive funeral service (without cremation)would cost nearly the same as two year's worth of college courses! Probably the most fascinating insight to result from this book is how little our culture has changed since then, how Americans still seem to be ignorant of funeral industry sales tactics and how the industry of the dead still results in exploitation of the living.

Something to ponder!

Ms. Mitford does a wonderful job of presenting details about the funeral industry. Published in 1963, this book is even more relevant today than ever. It causes one to look at the American view of death. Our society is one of fear and consumption, and there is nothing we fear more than death. This is a great read for anyone considering a job in the helping professions. We highly recommend it.

Mourning Becomes Expensive

Jessica Mitford leaves no headstone unturned in this exploration of the American funeral industry. Not only is it interesting as a study of funeral practices, but it also offers insights into business psychology, marketing, and sociology. Mitford's style is piercing and humorous (the chapter about emblaming often made me laugh out loud) while remaining very respectful of the deceased and their loved ones. Classics are never out of date -- and The American Way of Death is a classic.

A classic exposure of a still-current problem.

Though originally published in 1963, this is still current information. Just before her death Ms.Mitford said that the problem has gotten worse since then. Read it for perspective and insight into the current state of the funeral industry.